By the numbers
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Three of Emory's hospitals have made impressive strides in national quality measures. |
The fall semester has only just begun, and already the Woodruff Health Sciences Center (WHSC) has received exciting news—objective measures of success that recognize the excellence of our patient care and research programs.
In September we learned that three of Emory’s hospitals—Emory University Hospital (EUH), Emory University Hospital Midtown (EUHM), and Emory University Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital (EUOSH)—have made impressive strides in national quality measures. Out of 101 hospitals nationwide ranked by the University HealthSystem Consortium, EUH and EUOSH (ranked jointly) rose to the 10th position (up from 45th last year) while EUHM rose to 11 (up from 42 last year). These rankings compare how academic medical centers across the country are doing in multiple dimensions of quality and safety. The extraordinary strides our Emory Healthcare facilities have made in the past year are truly a testament to the knowledge, expertise, and teamwork of our physicians, nurses, and allied health and support staff. Our teams have earned this honor by providing the most compassionate, cutting-edge care available in the nation.
Our research team has equal reason to be proud. In spite of a challenging economic climate and increased competition for limited federal research funding, Emory University received $539.7 million in funding in fiscal year 2011, and the WHSC brought in $511.5 million—or 94%—of that total. This increase represents an impressive gain from the previous year. In fact, Emory’s research funding has increased by more than 52% in the past five years. This news is great not only for Emory but also all of Georgia, since Emory’s research funding results in a significant statewide economic impact.
These are numbers we can all celebrate. They represent objective scorecards by which we can continually measure and improve our performance. They show that we are making an important difference to the health and well-being of our community and to our understanding of the treatment and prevention of disease.
This issue of Emory Health also is packed full of the ways we are impacting our community’s health, from helping veterans recover from the traumas of war to bringing health care to seniors where they live. Enjoy reading many examples of our efforts in research, education, and patient care—all with the goal of improving health. Then let me know how you think we are doing. Share your feedback at evphafeedback@emory.edu.
S. Wright Caughman
Executive VP for Health Affairs
